New England Patriots vs. New York Jets, 12/30/18 Week 17 Predictions

Patriots vs. Jets Spread Prediction

The New England Patriots can clinch a first-round bye with a victory Sunday versus the New York Jets at 1:00 p.m. ET. While they should accomplish that feat, will the Pats cover as a double-digit favorite?

Game Snapshot

307 New York Jets at 308 New England Patriots

1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, December 30

Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

Public Betting Trends

According to oddsmakers from online sports book BetNow.eu, the Patriots are 13.5-point favorites to beat the Jets. The total, meanwhile, sits at 46.5 points. As of this writing, 61% of the public betting tickets are on the Jets to cover the point spread.

New York Jets

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports the Jets are expected to fire Todd Bowles. This has been fully expected. Bowles has a .394 career winning-percentage and hasn't had more than a five win season since 2015. The Jets are likely to keep GM Mike Maccagnan, who will help pick the next coach. With a franchise quarterback in Sam Darnold and the second-most cap space in the league, New York is one of the most attractive openings this coaching cycle.

New England Patriots

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports Josh McDaniels is a possible candidate for the Packers' head coach job. The Packers are casting a wide net in their search to replace Mike McCarthy. They've already met with Jim Caldwell and Chuck Pagano, and have been linked to Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald. McDaniels was nearly packaged with Green Bay GM Brian Gutekunst when he interviewed for the 49ers' job in 2017, so there's some familiarity between the sides. The Browns are also expected to have McDaniels interest.

NFL Betting Trends

New York

The Jets are 2-6-1 against the spread in their last nine games overall and are 1-5 ATS in their last six divisional games.

New England

The Patriots are 5-2 against the spread in their last seven games versus divisional opponents and are 36-17 ATS in their last 53 games overall.

Prediction

The Jets are 7-3-1 against the spread in their last 11 games versus the Patriots and I see value in them today as well. Tom Brady hasn’t looked sharp in over a month. His offensive line hasn’t given him the same protection that he’s accustomed to having, Josh Gordon is suspended and Rob Gronkowski looks like a shell of his former self. Even if the Jets fire Bowles on Monday, this Jets team isn’t a veteran squad that will go through the motions. Sam Darnold has played well the past two weeks and I like him to keep the Jets in the game.

NFL Week 17 Prediction: New York Jets +13.5